My Thoughts on the Charleston Murders

The Late Rev. Clementa Pinckney

I've been reading report after report about the massacre at Charleston. In Christian media, such as an article at Charisma.com asks the question, "What the Charleston Church Massacre Says About American Culture?" This, like many articles, use this tragedy in Charleston to "spiritualize" and pontificate on various subjects from "pervasive darkness in the nation" to a "wake up call" to the entire church. As I learned in journalism class a long time ago, do not "bury the lede" -- meaning do not side step the true story. Christians have to stop blaming the devil for everything, so long as people have the power of choice. We also have to stop placing any burden on victims in the wake of tragedies, and keep 100% of the focus and pressure on perpetrators, sympathizers, and others at risk to commit the same behavior. We need to try to prevent racist attacks by dealing with racists and racism through prayer, intervention, and education. 

This text shows the dangers of complacency, or of being unwilling to change for the better. Moab has been "at ease" or living in comfort. On its face, being comfortable is not an evil condition, but it comes with its own dangers.

God designed us to grow and develop, not remain the same. "Dregs" are the sediment that gather at the bottom of a container of wine. Filtering wine is necessary to preserving the flavor and maintaining its purity. Wine is filtered when carefully emptied from one vessel to another, resulting in the dregs being left behind. When God allows us to be emptied out, the purpose is to leave something undesirable behind, and to enhance our "flavor" and purity.

Note some of the key words in the text that describe the condition:

"At ease" • Unchallenged, not growing to maturity

"Settled on his dregs" • An unchanged state, dwelling in things that can eventually bring ruin

"Taste has remained" • Old appetites and desires continue

"Scent has not changed" • No difference that can be detected by others

What is the solution? God sends "wine-workers" such as pastors, preachers, prophets and teachers to "tip him over." Being tipped over is God's way of helping people change.

When we do not voluntarily practice emptying ourselves in God's presence, we get tipped over by one of God's servants who brings a word from the Lord. Sometimes circumstances do the tipping over. Also, to help us not return to our former ways, God allows the "bottles" to be broken.

Are you at ease today? Go empty yourself before Him.

John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

There is one thing for sure, we all need help. We need assistance to navigate through life and handle life's challenges. Did you know you have TWO Helpers?

We often read this text I think about the Holy Spirit as our Helper or Comforter. This is true, but when Jesus said He would send "another Helper" he was speaking about something very powerful. The Greek word Jesus used for "another" carries the idea of a duplicate or an exact representation. He was not saying that the Holy Spirit would be a replacement for Him. He said that the Holy Spirit will provide the same level of help and support as Himself.

We have TWO Helpers. One in heaven and one on earth! We have the greatest possible support! You are never alone and never without the assistance of Christ!